Netflix hits the buffers as explosive UK growth cools

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The explosive growth of Netflix in the UK is coming to an end, according to data seen by The Sunday Telegraph.

The figures raise new questions over its business in the wake of Disney’s ­decision to take its films off the steaming service in the US.

Netflix does not publish UK subscriber numbers, but a confidential analysis by a well-placed industry player shows that its rapid expansion into British homes may be reaching its limits.

For most of last year the company was stuck on around 5.7 million subscribers, according to the figures, which are partly based on information for the Broadcasters’ Audience ­Research Board, a television industry body. The data also includes private consumer research....